Magician and author Penn Jillette discusses the similarities between magic and writing, the difference between a cynic and a skeptic, the First Amendment, and the potential dangers of technology. He also talks about his new novel, Random, and shares insights into his habits, love for music and art, and the benefits of being an introvert and extrovert. The lightning round of questions includes amusing details about his drinking habits and recommendations for books, TV shows, and acts in Vegas.
Performing magic and writing a novel both require storytelling and a sense of pretentiousness.
Magicians should empathize with their audience to create powerful performances and suspension of disbelief.
Deep dives
Penn's Early Life and Writing Aspirations
Penn Gillette, known for his role in the magic duo Penn and Teller, shares his background and how he always had a passion for writing. Despite not finishing high school, he continued to enjoy writing and storytelling from a young age. His interest in writing stemmed from his desire to be pretentious and create stories. Writing became a consistent part of his life, even as he pursued a career in magic.
Discovering Magic and Skepticism
Gillette talks about his journey into magic and skepticism. Initially intrigued by magic tricks presented as science experiments, he became disillusioned after discovering the dishonesty behind certain tricks. However, a book by James Randi and his encounter with Teller opened his eyes to the possibility of performing magic honestly and with intellectual engagement. This realization led Gillette and Teller to explore magic as an art form that doesn't insult the intelligence of the audience but instead challenges them to question their beliefs.
Embracing Multiple Art Forms
Gillette discusses his interest in art and music, despite not having natural talents in those areas. Due to his poor visual memory, he surrounds himself with artwork to improve his understanding and appreciation of visual art. Similarly, he took up playing the upright bass to enhance his connection with the pure form of music. By engaging with various art forms that don't come naturally to him, Gillette pushes himself to explore different creative avenues and strengthen his resolve as an artist.
Defending Free Speech and Empathy in Magic
Gillette expresses his strong support for the First Amendment and free speech, particularly in the world of comedy and magic. He believes in defending the right to express even the most offensive or disliked ideas. Furthermore, he highlights the importance of empathy in magic, emphasizing the need for magicians to understand the perspectives of their audience. By empathizing with the audience's thoughts and emotions, magicians can deliver captivating performances and create a powerful suspension of disbelief.
Penn Jillette - The Air We Breathe (no alcohol, no caffeine)
Penn describes what performing magic and writing a novel have in common, talks about Bill Maher and the difference between a cynic and a skeptic, identifies his favorite illustration of America's First Amendment, warns of the peril of technology's capacity to take geography out of tribalism, and discusses the concept behind his new novel, Random.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode